Lindsey Burkett
Pine Bluff,AR
Summary
Dynamic education professional with extensive experience at Arkansas River Education Services Cooperative, excelling in personnel training and policy creation. Proven track record in developing behavior intervention plans and fostering collaborations among stakeholders. Skilled in implementing quality standards and advocating for equitable access to early childhood services, ensuring impactful outcomes for diverse learners.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Local Leads Captain
Arkansas River Education Services Cooperative
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
06.2025 - Current
- Coordinate the Coordinated Funding Request (CFR) process for all participating early childhood sites within assigned counties, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely submission.
- Acted as the primary liaison between local programs, state agencies, and community partners, maintaining clear and consistent communication.
- Collect, verify, and synthesize site-level data to represent each program’s needs, capacity, and priorities.
- Provide technical assistance and guidance to site leaders on CFR requirements, documentation, and quality improvement expectations.
- Facilitate collaboration among childcare centers, school districts, and community organizations to strengthen early childhood systems.
- Monitored program needs related to staffing, enrollment, facilities, and quality initiatives, escalating concerns to state partners.
- Supported programs in understanding and implementing state early childhood policies, quality standards, and funding guidelines to enhance compliance.
- Lead county-level meetings, work sessions, and communication efforts to ensure alignment across all participating sites.
- Track deadlines, maintain organized records, and ensure compliance with state reporting requirements.
- Advocate for equitable access to high-quality early childhood services across rural and underserved communities.
- Identified gaps in local childcare supply and collaborated with partners to develop strategies that strengthened capacity and improved service delivery.
- Provide ongoing support to programs during disaster recovery or operational disruptions, helping assess needs and coordinate resources.
- Worked with educators to identify areas for instructional improvement.
- Employed learning management systems to monitor training progress and completion.
Early Childhood Behavior Specialist
Arkansas River Education Services Cooperative
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
07.2017 - Current
- Designed behavior intervention plans tailored to diverse student needs.
- Partnered with educators to execute individualized support strategies for student success.
- Conducted observations to assess student behavior and progress.
- Provided training sessions for staff on behavior management techniques.
- Evaluated effectiveness of behavioral interventions and made necessary adjustments.
- Aided crisis intervention efforts to manage challenging student situations effectively.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss student progress, develop recommendations, and collaborate on educational decisions.
- Worked directly with students and discussed behavioral goals and implementation of behavior intervention programs.
Special Education Teacher
Arkansas River Education Services Cooperative
Pine Bluff, AR
08.2024 - 06.2025
- Developed individualized education plans for diverse student needs.
- Conducted assessments to evaluate student progress and tailor instruction to meet individual learning needs.
- Collaborated with parents and teachers to create supportive learning environments that enhanced student engagement.
- Adapted teaching materials to accommodate various learning styles.
- Facilitated small group activities to promote social skills development.
- Implemented behavioral management strategies in classroom settings.
- Adapted curriculum materials to meet individualized student needs.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress towards IEP goals.
Preschool Director
Arkansas River Education Services Cooperative
Pine Bluff, USA
07.2020 - 06.2024
- Developed and implemented innovative strategies to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for preschoolers.
- Led hiring process for qualified staff, ensuring alignment with preschool's educational goals and standards.
- Coordinated professional development programs for faculty and staff, enhancing teaching quality and educational outcomes.
- Established effective communication channels with parents, faculty, and students.
- Managed financial resources for preschool program, overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and reporting to ensure fiscal responsibility.
- Ensured compliance with state licensing regulations as well as federal laws related to early childhood education programs.
- Created policies and procedures related to curriculum design, student behavior management, and safety protocols.
- Collaborated with administrative personnel at other schools or organizations to share best practices in early childhood education.
- Assisted teachers with developing age-appropriate curricula that meet all state standards for early childhood education programs.
- Developed strategic partnerships with local businesses or organizations that can provide additional resources or support services for the school.
School Counselor
Watson Chapel School District
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
07.2012 - 06.2017
- Developed and implemented school-wide programs for student mental health awareness.
- Counseled students on academic and emotional challenges, fostering personal development and resilience.
- Guided students through college and career readiness, facilitating informed course selection and career assessment.
- Collaborated with teachers to address student behavioral issues effectively.
- Advocated for students' needs in meetings with staff and administration teams.
- Strengthened parent and teacher partnerships, enhancing communication to support students' educational goals.
- Facilitated communication between stakeholders to enhance project alignment and efficiency.
Elementary School Teacher
Pine Bluff School District
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
08.2004 - 06.2012
- Developed engaging lesson plans aligned with state curriculum standards.
- Facilitated engaging classroom discussions that boosted student participation and fostered critical thinking.
- Implemented effective classroom management strategies that established a positive learning environment.
- Assessed student progress through various evaluation methods and provided feedback.
- Integrated technology into lessons to enhance student learning experiences.
- Collaborated with parents to enhance student academic and social development, creating a supportive network.
- Mentored new teachers, sharing best practices for effective classroom instruction.
Education
Master of Science - School Counseling
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Little Rock, AR05.2012
Master of Science - Special Education
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ08.2007
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education
Henderson State University
Arkadelphia, AR05.2004
High School Diploma -
Dollarway High School
Pine Bluff, AR05.2000
Skills
- ECERS certification
- COPA certification
- SOR certification
- Project Coordination
- Educational Leadership
- Community Engagement
- Special Needs Support
- Behavior Consultation
- Infant/toddler training
- Team Development
- Staff Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Collaborations
- Policy creation
Certification
- P-4 Certified
- P-12 School Counseling Certified
Accomplishments
- Achieved recognition for Arkansas Children's Program Administrator certification.
- Conscious Discipline trained.
- Outstanding Employee Award
- Grant recipient for over $100,000
- Summer Camp director training
- State Panel member for Early Learning
- Trained CLASS Affiliate
Activities
- Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
- Supporter of Little League Baseball
- Community volunteer
- Early Learning Advocate
Timeline
Local Leads Captain
Arkansas River Education Services Cooperative
06.2025 - Current
Special Education Teacher
Arkansas River Education Services Cooperative
08.2024 - 06.2025
Preschool Director
Arkansas River Education Services Cooperative
07.2020 - 06.2024
Early Childhood Behavior Specialist
Arkansas River Education Services Cooperative
07.2017 - Current
School Counselor
Watson Chapel School District
07.2012 - 06.2017
Elementary School Teacher
Pine Bluff School District
08.2004 - 06.2012
Master of Science - School Counseling
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Master of Science - Special Education
Grand Canyon University
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education
Henderson State University
High School Diploma -
Dollarway High School